Moving a WordPress website might sound hard, but it can be done step by step in a way anyone can follow. When we talk about moving a website, we mean copying all of its content, pictures, plugins, and settings from one place to another. This could be because you want a new web host, a new domain name, or better performance for your site. A careful move helps make sure nothing breaks and your visitors can still find your content without problems.
Why Moving a WordPress Website Matters
Imagine you built a house in one town, but later you want it in another town. You’d make a plan, pack everything safely, and check that everything works after you rebuild it. Moving a WordPress site is similar. You back up all the pieces, move them to the new place, and then make sure the site works just as it did before. If done right, people will still see your pages and posts just as normal, and your search ranking stays safe too.
1. Get Ready Before You Start
Before you begin moving your WordPress site, there are a few things you should do first:
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Save a full copy of your website – this includes all files and your database where your posts and settings are stored.
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Know your current setup – remember which host and domain you are using now.
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Decide where you’re moving – whether to a new host, a new domain name, or just a different location on the same server.
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Turn off extra tools like caching or security plugins for now so they don’t interfere with the move.
This preparation makes everything smoother and protects your content from going missing.
2. Easy Way: Use a Migration Plugin
One of the simplest ways to move a WordPress website is by using a migration plugin. Plugins are tools you add to WordPress that can do a lot of heavy work for you. With the right plugin, you can pack all of your website’s files and your database into one downloadable file. Then you take that file to your new home, and the plugin helps put everything back in place.
For example, plugins like All-in-One WP Migration work by first exporting all your site’s data into one file. After that, you install the same plugin on the new WordPress site, upload the export file, and let the plugin rebuild your site there. This method keeps your setup and content just as they were before.
3. Manual Way: Moving Without a Plugin
If you want to move your WordPress site without a plugin, you can do it by hand. This takes a few more steps, but it works very well too:
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Download all your site files from your old host using a tool like FTP or the file manager in your hosting control panel.
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Export your database using a tool called phpMyAdmin, which lives inside your control panel. This file holds all your posts, pages, and settings.
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Upload your files to the new host’s file space in the correct folder.
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Create a new database on the new host and upload your old database into it.
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Update a special file called
wp-config.phpwith your new database name and login details so WordPress can connect to your content again.
This method doesn’t use plugins, but it helps you learn more about how WordPress works behind the scenes. It’s a powerful way to move your site when tools won’t work or if you want complete control.
4. Moving Within the Same Server or Host Panel
If you are moving your site just to a new folder or domain name on the same host, many control panels like cPanel can help you do the job with built-in backups and file managers. You still back up your files and database first, but then you use the host’s tools to copy or restore everything to the new place. Some hosts even offer free migration services where they do the whole process for you.
What Comes Next…
In the next half of this article, we will discuss how to handle domain changes, keep your SEO safe, and make sure everything works after the move. We will also look at common problems people run into and how to fix them.
Before we continue, check out [our guide on crafting SEO-friendly articles] to make sure your content reaches more readers once your site is live at its new home.
5. Moving Between Domains (Domain Change Migration)
When you change your WordPress site’s domain – the web address people type to find your website – some extra care is needed so visitors and search engines still find your pages. Think of it like moving your home to a new street. You want your friends and mail carriers to know where to go.
After all your files and database are safely on the new domain, you need to tell WordPress and search engines about this change. Inside your WordPress dashboard under Settings > General, you update the WordPress Address and Site Address to show the new domain. This makes sure WordPress knows where it lives now. Then you replace old web addresses in your database so the links inside your posts and pages point to the new site instead of the old one. Tools like Better Search Replace help make this task easier.
But there’s one more important job: set up 301 redirects. These are small instructions that tell web visitors and search engines that your site moved for good. Imagine putting up signposts on every old street pointing to your new home – that’s what 301 redirects do. They help keep your hard-earned search rankings and make sure people don’t see error pages when they click old links. You can add redirects using tools in your hosting dashboard or use plugins that manage them safely.
6. SEO Considerations & Best Practices
When a site moves, search engines like Google might get confused and think the old pages are gone. To protect your visibility in search results, it’s important to take some steps that help search engines understand the changes.
First, keep the same page names and link paths when you can. This makes the move smoother for both people and search bots. If you must change a link’s address, that’s another reason to use 301 redirects so traffic flows naturally from the old address to the new.
Next, let Google know about your new domain by adding it to Google Search Console and using the Change of Address feature. This tells the search engine that your website isn’t disappearing, it just has a new name. It also helps your new sitemap – the list of your web pages – get indexed faster so your content starts showing in results more quickly.
Don’t forget to check your internal links – these are links inside your own posts and pages. If any still point to the old site, visitors could end up seeing a page not found message. Use the same search-and-replace tools you used earlier, or plugins that help fix them automatically.
7. Post-Migration Steps
After your move is finished, it’s tempting to think your job is done. But there are a few things you should check to make sure everything works as expected.
Start by visiting your site in a browser and click through key pages, menus, and forms to ensure nothing is missing or broken. Then go back to your WordPress dashboard and reset your permalinks – these are the link formats WordPress uses for pages and posts. Sometimes they need to be refreshed so all internal links work correctly.
Next, clear any caching tools you are using, both inside WordPress and at your hosting provider. Cached (saved) versions of your site can still hold old links that point to the previous address, so removing them lets visitors and search engines see the newest version of your site.
Be patient with DNS propagation too. When you change domain names or hosting, it can take hours or even a couple of days for the Internet to fully recognize the new information everywhere in the world. During this time, some visitors might still see the old site, but that’s normal and it should settle down soon.
8. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with careful planning, you might run into a few bumps after moving your WordPress website. One common problem is broken links or missing images. If a link still points back to the old site or an image doesn’t show, double-check that every reference to your old domain was updated correctly in your database. Tools that scan for broken links can help you find these quickly.
Another issue could be that your search ranking drops for a short time after the change. This happens because search engines are re-learning where your content lives. You can watch your performance in Search Console or Google Analytics to make sure nothing important is blocked or missing. If you see errors, fix them quickly so your site returns to its visibility sooner.
Sometimes plugins or themes won’t behave exactly the same after a move. If something doesn’t look right – such as menus not appearing or forms not working – try disabling and re-enabling those tools. Checking their settings may reveal an old link or path that needs updating.
If you find yourself stuck, you might want to revisit the ideas in our guide on [how to back up a WordPress site] or check out [WordPress migration plugin tips] to help fix specific problems.
Conclusion
Moving a WordPress website – whether you’re switching hosts or changing your domain name – doesn’t have to be scary. By planning ahead, backing up everything, setting up redirects, and checking that all links work after the move, you can make the process smooth and safe for your visitors. Paying attention to how search engines see your new site helps your hard-earned SEO work stay intact. With each step completed carefully, your WordPress website will feel right at home in its new location.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is it safe to move a WordPress website?
Yes, it is safe if you do it the right way. The most important step is taking a full backup before you start. A backup means you can restore everything if something goes wrong. When you follow a clear process and check your site after the move, the risk is very low.
2. Will my website go offline during the move?
In most cases, visitors will not notice anything. If you use a plugin or move the site carefully, your old site stays live until the new one is ready. Only small changes, like DNS updates, may take some time to spread across the internet, but your site usually stays accessible.
3. Can I move a WordPress website without using a plugin?
Yes, you can. You can move your site by copying files and the database by hand. This method takes more time and care, but it works well. If you want an easier way, using a plugin is often better, especially for beginners. You can read more in our guide on how to move a WordPress website to another host.
4. Will moving my WordPress site hurt my SEO?
It doesn’t have to. If you keep the same page links and use proper redirects when changing domains, search engines can understand the move. Letting Google know about the change through Search Console also helps protect your rankings. We explain this in detail in our article on moving a WordPress website to a new domain.
5. How long does it take to move a WordPress website?
For small websites, it can take less than an hour. Larger sites with many images and pages may take longer. The time also depends on your internet speed and hosting provider. Planning ahead always saves time.
6. Do I need technical skills to move a WordPress website?
Not always. If you use a migration plugin, basic WordPress knowledge is enough. Manual migration needs more attention, but even that can be done by following simple steps. If you feel unsure, checking guides like how to move a WordPress site to a new host can help a lot.
7. What should I check after moving my site?
After the move, visit your site and click through important pages. Check menus, images, forms, and links. Reset permalinks and clear cache if needed. This final check ensures your visitors get the same smooth experience as before.